DO'S & DON'TS

Do - Press quilt top and backing

This is a must if you don't want puckers in your quilt!  Especially press the seam allowances.  Avoid seam twisting and try to press seams in the direction that causes the least bulk.  If you need to piece the quilt backing, trim off the selvage edges first, and make ½" seam allowances.  Press the seam allowances open.

Don't - Embellish

Buttons, bows and beads must wait until after the quilting is complete.

Do - Reinforce it

Outside seams have extra stress due to the clamps and attaching the leaders.  If possible, back-tack all outside edges, or stay-stitch around the entire perimeter of the quilt.  You should also check your quilt for seam breaks.  Old quilts and hand stitched quilts are prone to seam breaks.  Broken seams can cause tearing during the quilting process.

Don't - Baste or pin quilt layers together

Do - Clip loose threads

Clip all loose threads on the quilt top and backing, both front and back.  Threads can cause uneven stitching.  On lighter fabrics, loose threads on the back side of the top will show through.

Do - Indicate top of quilt

If your quilt top and/or backing has a specific direction, indicate top vs. bottom.  Please pin a safety pin at the top so we will know, without a doubt that this is the top of your quilt or backing.

Do - Enlarge it

Make sure you leave extra space on your quilt top for quilting.  It is difficult to quilt all the way to the edges anyway, so leave extra room.

Do - Make backing 4" wider on all sides of the quilt

Make sure the backing is larger than the quilt top, but at least 4" on all sides.  This means a total of 8" extra in length and in width.  Did you know that a pieced top will stretch more than an unpieced backing?  So, just in case the top stretches your "larger" backing will be able to absorb the difference.  Pieced backings are better when seams are sewn horizontally.

Do - Square up all sides of quilt

The quilt will not be stretched properly if it is not square.  Measure the center of the top vertically.  Then measure the outside edges vertically.  If there is more than ½" difference, it is possible that your quilt will have tucks when quilted.  Do the same measurements horizontally.  If you have made contoured corners, baste a piece of muslin across the contoured edge to make it square.  Hint for scalloped edges:  Don't cut the scallops until the quilt is quilted.  Mark the cutting line clearly so we know where to quilt, but don't cut it until you are ready to apply the binding.